Resources
New Findings on Parenting
"Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents" was just released, and the findings are illuminating.
The Advisory states "parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids' health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest."
Other remarkable findings:
33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults.
48% of parents say that most days, their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults.
In short, parents and guardians need more support.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states:
"The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health and future of society. Better supporting parents will require policy changes and expanded community programs that will help ensure parents and caregivers can get paid time off to be with a sick child, secure affordable child care, access reliable mental health care, and benefit from places and initiatives that support social connection and community...the Surgeon General's Advisory calls for a shift in culture, policies, and programs to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive."